Liverpool are in talks to sign the best player at Anfield since Diaz

Liverpool are closing in on the appointment of Etiënne Reijnen, who will join Arne Slot in the dugout next season.

The 39-year-old backed Slot in the hole at Feyenoord for the 2023/24 season, and it is a move that deepens FSG’s support for the Anfield coach, who is battling growing rumors that he will be sacked after the end-of-season review.

That FSG are looking to quash such rumors provides clarity, certainly, but it’s not a decision most Liverpool will agree with after such a poor campaign, fifth in the Premier League and no silverware.

Liverpool need to make changes, though. Efforts have already been made to sign various players in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool will win the Premier League

Yan Diomande is among Liverpool’s top targets this summer, and it’s clear why. He is fast and furious, ineffective on the ball and has a growing edge that is still developing.

However, at £87m, he would have cost FSG a pretty penny, and Liverpool need to make a series of changes this summer, such as strengthening on the left and in the middle of the park.

With that in mind, Liverpool could focus their efforts on signing Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh as a replacement, with reporter Matt Thielen claiming the Merseysiders are already in talks to sign the Gambian winger, who is keen on a move.

Minteh, 21, has developed into one of Brighton’s best players over the past two years, aggressive in front of goal, and although he was more affordable than Diomande instead of Salah, he would still cost Liverpool something in the region of £60m.

However, he may be the best choice, not only the most economical but able to make the biggest impact from the start as well, even establishing himself as Liverpool’s best winger since Luis Diaz.

Why Minteh could be Liverpool’s best winger since Diaz

Diaz left Liverpool for Bayern Munich for £65.5m last summer, and went on to win silverware and rack up more goals and assists under Vincent Kompany.

Selling the 29-year-old was the right call, but FSG failed to replace him. Now, or on the other side, Liverpool can renew that pace and power and understanding with Minteh, who is shaping up to be quite the player.

The jet-heeled winger has Premier League experience and has worked under Slot. Most of his numbers may leave something to be desired, but you can’t say the same for Diomande in the Bundesliga.

After all, it is clear that Liverpool would not protect a new player of the quality of, say, Diaz, who was in blinding form against Bayern Munich.

One observer once said that Minteh “he can reach Sadio Mane[‘s] level“In the Premier League, I boast all the qualities of being a star.

Could he be Liverpool’s best since Diaz? Well, Salah has been good this year, and Cody Gakpo has left a lot to be desired.

He may not produce the same impressive numbers as Diomande, but the Bundesliga talent is likely to compete against lower-level opposition every week, and we only need to look at Florian Wirtz to see how difficult the transition to Premier League football is.

Diaz will not regret his decision to leave Liverpool and join the German champions, but FSG should regret their actions afterwards, holding fire in the transfer market and looking for other positions.

The absence of someone of Diaz’s profile has been the crux of Liverpool’s decline this season – or one of many cruxes, in any case.

Minteh may not be the finished product, but he will join Liverpool for less money than Diomande, and with plenty of Premier League experience to back him up.